US Bridges

FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar

Poor

Calhoun County, Iowa · 089342101 · Structure no. 000000000092840

Built
1938
87 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
122 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
219
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar in Calhoun County, Iowa. It was built in 1938 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 87 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 219 vehicles a day, roughly 26% of them trucks, projected to reach 219 by 2043. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesDd 181 Big Cedar
Location089342101
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyCalhoun County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.51769, -94.86552
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating97.6 US tons
Inventory rating58.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic219 (2022)
Projected traffic219 by 2043
Trucks26%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar carry?

About 219 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 26% are trucks.

How long is FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Dd 181 Big Cedar?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.